South Sudan rebels reject President Kiir's dialogue offer as conflict rages on

Rebel leader and government have agreed on several peace deals since war erupted in 2013.

Unicef warns of famine in South Sudan affecting one million peopleUNICEF

South Sudan rebels loyal to ousted vice-president RiekMacharhave rejected a government offer for a dialogue. President Salva Kiir launched a national dialogue on Monday (22 May) when he also declared a unilateral ceasefire and vowed to release political prisoners in a bid to put an end the ongoing civil war.

A 94-member committee was sworn in on Monday "to conduct consultations as widely as possible to give the people of South Sudan (a chance) to air out their views and aspirations to restore peace in their country," Kiir was quoted by news agency AFP as saying.

Kiir also said anyone could take part in the dialogue except for Machar – currently in South Africa – although he would be welcome to send a delegation.

In response, rebels were quoted by the BBC as saying: "This is yet another campaign by the regime in Juba to derail the peace process beyond salvation."

Earlier this month, the UN confirmed that dozens of peacekeepers part of a 4,000-strong UN contingent had arrived to South Sudan, eight months after the UN Security Council had approved the deployment.

South Sudan had initially opposed to the deployment of the troops, but later changed its position.